Author
C. GERBER-BALMELLI Easier &. Hofmann, Zurich

Abstract
The Swiss Standard SIA 177/2 (1989) covers the design of clay, calcium-silicate and concrete unit walls under both eccentric normal force and combined normal force and shear. The standard is based on research carried out at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology since 1975 and follows the limit state philosophy. In order to supplement this research the structural behaviour of autoclaved aerated concrete masonry walls was investigated. Rotation tests on six, storey-height walls and compression tests on nine wall specimens were performed. The results show that the general method of ultimate limit state design can be extended to autoclaved aerated concrete masonry and that the strength and stiffness properties given in SIA 177/2 can be revised.